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“The defendant was angered by this dispute. He got up and punched Mr Glover with no warning. It was a heavy blow to the right side of Mr Glover’s face, which fractured his jaw. He said it felt like a piece of metal, but witnesses said it was just a fist.

“Mr Glover was left semi-conscious and fell to the floor. He felt extreme pain and blood was coming from his face and pooling around him.”

Mr Glover said Ibbs had asked him for money, but the defendant pleaded guilty on the basis that he never made such a request.

“The defendant remained in the town centre and Mr Poole kept him under observation, pointing him out to a police community support officer.”

In his witness impact statement, Mr Glover said the attack had affected him mentally as well as physically, leaving him anxious about going outside.

The court heard that Ibbs had 44 previous convictions for 237 offences.

The assault occurred outside McDonald's in Hanley

Hamish Noble said Ibbs was no longer living on the street, having received accommodation and support from charity Brighter Futures. Ibbs has also been prescribed methadone for his drug addiction.

Mr Noble said: “It’s clear that Mr Ibbs has had some difficulty controlling his temper for some time, specifically on the day in question. He was homeless and sat in the street, feeling depressed at his situation.